Liquid motor



M. T. I INDENBERG LIQUID MOTOR 4 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Jan. 30, 1922 @www 7 m? Apr. l0, 1953 M. TUNDENBERG BIQUID MOTOR Filed Jan. 30, 1922 4 sheets-sheet 4 om wma mw i i? E @8h @hm. D, gw m E: n m m l QM FW @mi m wm Hm n .w M mi@ f n ma n mm y m m m m m Patented Apr. 1923.

unirse MORITZ THEODORE LINDENBERG, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

LIQUID MOTOR.

Application filed January 30, 1922. Serial Njo. 532,922.

new and useful Improvements in Liquid Motors, of ywhich the following isa specification.

The'invention is embodiedr inamotor which is to a great extent vauto-dynamic,

and requires for the continuity of its operation, (wear and breakage excepted), only the maintenance of a supply of liquid at a suitable elevation, and so circulated and controlled in a series of tanks, that nonsynchronous vertical reciprocating movements are impartedvtol a series of buoyant weights in said tanks, means being provided for translating the said reciprocating movements into continuous unidirectional ktorque in a power-transmitting shaft, the latter not only transmitting power for a useful purpose outside the motor, but also controlling elements which govern the circulation of the liquid, and cause the latter to impart the said non-synchronous reciprocating movements to the buoyant weights.

A battery is employed composed of an` even number of units, each unit including a tank and a buoyant welght, the number shown in the present embodiment of the invention being eight. Liquid is lexhausted from and admitted. to these tanks in such manner that half of the entire number of weights are left, byfalling liquid, unsup-y ported and free to fall by gravity, and thus to turn the power-transmitting shaft in a predetermined direction, weights are at the same time supported by 4o rising liquid, so that the displacement ofthe weights acts to turn the transmittingN shaft in the same direction. The force directed and the other Of Ithe vaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification,-

Figure 1 isa plan view of a liquid motor embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a' section on line 2 2 of Figure l, and an elevation of parts at the right ofsaid line.

Figure 2a is a section on line 2?--2av of Figure 2. f' Figure 2b is a section on line 2"-2b of Figure 2.

'Figure 3 is an' enlarged fragmentary view, showing one of the hereinafter described rock-shafts in transverse section, and means associated with one of the weights and with the rock-shaft to translate recipro-v cating movements of the weights into continuous unidirectional torque. l c

Figure'is an enlarged side view of one of the pulleys hereinafter described, and a sectional view of a belt engaged with the pulley.

Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 are developments of the tubular valves constituting elements' of the liquid circulating means hereinafter described.' y y Figures 9 and l0 are developments respectively of the inlet and exhaust valves hereinafter described.

Figures llto 26 are diagrammatic views, showing the tanks and the buoyant weights at different stages of the operation.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the figures.

Mounted yon a suitable supporting frame 7, portions of which are shown by dotted lines in Figure 2, are a series of tanks 8,

arranged preferably in a straight row, eight y tanks 'being necessary in the embodiment of the invention here shown. vertically movable insaid tanks are buoyant weights 11, adapted to be supported by liquid 12 in the tanks, there being one weight for each tank.

Said tanks and weights constitute a battery. and a motor embodying the invention may include one battery, or more than one. Each weight 1l is preferably a box closed.

at its bottom and sides, sothat its buoyant.

The weight is suiiiciently p'onderous'to function, as hereinafter described, when falling.

I provide automatically selective means for transferring liquid from any tank 8 to other tanks in a predetermined order, to

" tirely unsupported by liquid and free to fall by its own weight, and thus perform a part of its function, and at the same time support and raise the weight in another tank, the last-mentioned tank performing a part of its function rby displacement. To this end I connect with the bottom of each tank a conduit 13, preferably elbow-shaped, as

shown by Figure 2. The horizontal por' tion of each conduit 1.3 is provided with four branches 14, the upper ends of which for-in ports 15, .communicating with cylindrical valve casings of which there are four, each extending the entire length of the series of tanks, said casings being designatedv respectively, 16, 16g, 16b 1 and 2.

Mounted to turn in'each valve casing isa cylindrical tubular valve, extending from end to end of the casing. Saidk valves are called tank-.connecting valves, and are designated respectively 17, 17a, 17b and 17c in and 16c in Figures Figures 1 and 2. The valve 17 C is not shown inFigure 2, and is shown only bydotted lines in Figure 1.

Flat developments of the said valves. are shown by Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, from which it will be seen that each valve has a plurality of ports, formed in zones of the valve coinciding with the fixed conduit ports 15, the arrangement of thelatter relatively to said zones being indicated diagrammatically by dotted lines in these figures. Said valve yports are identified byv reference numerals in the description of the operation hereinafter contained. It is sufficient for the present to say that each valve is rotated step-by-step in its casing by means hereinafter described, in such manner that ports in two of its zones register ,simulta-v neously with two of the fixed ports 15, so that communication is established between two of the tanks, permitting liquid to flow from one of said tanks to the other, the fiow being outward from one of the tanks through a conduit 13, to the valve portion between said ports, and inward through another conduit 13 to the other tank.

vThe different tank-connecting valves act successively in establishing such communi cation, yso that each tank is connected with each of the other tanks successively in a predetermined order, as will more fully appear hereinafter.

To one end of each tank-connecting valve is fixed stem journaled in one end of the accompanying casing, and to these stems y are fixed gears 18, forming a train through Vce valve 17, the directions of rotation of the which the valves are rotated simultaneously step-by-step. by power applied as hereinafter described, to the gear on the inner valvesbeing indicated by arrows in Figure 2.

' The transfer of liquid from onetank to anotherileaves the buoyant weight in one of the two tanks unsupported by liquid and free to fall, the weight in the other tank being supported and raised by rising liquid, and exerting a greater force on the power shaft hereinafter described than the falling weight. f

The rise yand fall of the weights is caused to impart a continuous unidirectional rotation through suitable connections to a main power shaft 20, journaled in bearings supported by fixed brackets 21. To each weight is fixed a vertical rack-bar 22, meshingrwith a. pinion 23, which is keyed to a short'rock-shaft 24, journaled in bearings supported by` fixed supporting members 25. Said members may be uprights riveted at 26 (Figure 2), to the tanks. There is a rockfshaft 24 for each weight, and each rock-shaft 24 is reversely rotatedby the rise and fall of the accompanying weight.

To impart unidirectional rotation from the rock-shafts 24 to the main shaft 20, I provide each rock-shaft 24 with two loose pulleys `2 7 and 28, and with two ratchets 29 and'30 which are fixed to the shaft, the teeth-of one ratchet facing oppositely to those of the other. Each loose pulley is provided with a spring-pressed pawl 31, the pawl of the pulley 27 engaging the ratchet 29, ywhile the pawl of the pulley 28 en gages the ratchet 30. The pulley 27 is -connectedy by a crossed belt 32, and the pulley 28 by an open or straight belt 33, with pulleys fixed to the main shaft 20.

Power is communicated from the shaft 20 to one of the valve gears 18, to drive the train of valve gears intermittently, by a belt 34 running on a pulley 35 on the main shaft, and driving a pulley 36 on a kShaft 37, a pawl 33 engaged with an eccentric 39 on the shaft 37, and a ratchet 40 fixed to one of the endgears 18. The rotation of the shaft 37. reciprocates the pawl 38, and causes it to rot-ate the train of gears. 18 and the tank-.connecting valves step-bvstep. The shaft 37 is journaled in bearings in a fixed support 42,. which may be a bracket or brackets fixed to one of the tanks.

To suitably guide and steady the buoyant weights 11, and maintain the rack-bars 22 in mesh with the pinions 23, I provide guide rolls 43 supported by the tanks and bearing on opposite sides of the weights, and guide bars 44 fixed to the weights and in sliding contact with rock-shafts 24, at the sides of the latter, opposite the rack-bars 22. There are preferably two of said guide bars on each weight, as shown by Figure 1, and they are arranged at opposite sides. of the rock-shaft pinion 23,` (Figure 2) so that the pinion and guide bars cooperate in preventing horizontal displacement ofthe weight, in two opposite directions.

llb

one `of the end gears 18 (Figure 2), and to the valve 48 (Figure 2a). The weight tanks 8 are supplied with liquid, as hereinafter described, by an elevated supply tank 56, in which a body of liquid may be maintained at a predetermined height, by a supply conduit 52, controlled by al ballcock 53. A tubular valve casing 57 (Figure 1) is connected by an elbow-shaped con. duit 58 (Figure 1) with thetank 56, and contains a tubular inlet valve 59 (Figure 2b), having helically arranged'p'orts 591, and rotatable step-by-step vin the valve casing 57. Short conduits or passages 60 (Figures 1 and 2b) connectthe valve casing 57 withy the tanks 8.

Said exhaust and inletvalves are rotated simultaneously step-by-step by a belt 62 running beside the belt 49 onthev pulley 51, the latter being long enough to accommodate both belts, and on a pulleyvv 64 fixed as shown by Figure 2 to the` stem of the inlet valve 59.

The exhaust valve 48 and the inlet valve 59 are shown developed by Figures 9 and 10, the ports 48a and 59a of said valves being arranged as shown by these Figures. The exhaust-valve casing ports 46 yare shown by dotted lines in Figure 10, and the inletvalve casing ports 60 are shown by dotted lines in Figure 9. s v

For convenience in the ,following description, I have added to the reference numerals 8 designating the weight tanks, the exponents shown on Figures 11 to 26, inclusive, the tanks in said figures beingfdesignated in the' order of their arrangement, 83,781, 8, 83 se, 8f, 8g and 8h. y

In preparing the motor for operation, all

the valves are closed, and liquid is introduced Vto the tanks to `initially locate the weights 11, at the different heights shown by Figure 11, the weightl in tank 8a being at the highest point of its travel, and the weight in the tank 8e at the lowest point. When the motor is in operation, thetankconnecting valves intermittently regulate the liquid levels of the various tanks; When the liquid in any tank reaches a predetermined .low level, the exhaust valve 48 (Figure 2a) "opens and exhausts the remaining liquid.

ythe lower ends of the Weight tanks, estab'- lish the desired high liquid level.

The arrangement of the ports in the tankconnecting valves 17 and 17C (Figure 1) is such that when the valves vare simultaneously stepped forward, 4ati-the commencement of the operation, ports -and81 in valve 17c register simultaneously with krthe tvvo corresponding lixed conduit ports 15, thereby connecting tanks 8c and 8?; ports 83 and 85 invalve 17b register simultaneously with two other` corresponding fixed ports 15, thereby connectingtanks 8b and 8h, ports 86 and V88in valve 17a register simultaneouslyk with the two other fixed ports 15, and thereby connect tanks 8d and 8f. Valve 17 also moves, but is not caused by this movement to. register any ports. The movement of the exhaust valve 48and inlet valve 59 roccurring at the same time, causes port 59a infvalve 59 to register with a port 60 communicating with supply tank 56, thus causing the filling of weight tank 8a to the initial high level, and causing port 48a in exhaustv valve 48to register with a valve chamber port 46, allowing the liquid remaining in the weight tank 8e, the weight in whichkhas now reached its lowest point, to escape through the exhaust valve 48.

The valves 17, 17a, 17b and 17c nowfstep, forward again, so that ports 81-and 82 in valve 17 c register with two of the lixed ports 15 to connect tanks 8d and 8g,f'as shown by Figure 8; ports 84 and 85 in valve 17b register with two fixedports 15 to connect tanks 8c and 8h as shown by Figure 7 ports 87 and 88 in valve 17a register with two fixed ports 15 to connect tanks 8ek and 8f; and ports 93 and 94 in valve 17 register with two fixed ports 15 to connect tanks 8a and 8", as shown by Figure 5. The exhaust and inlet valves` also move at the same time, but donot register any ports.

Eil

Without describing in detail the results i of the additional step movements ofthe tank-connecting valveswuntil a complete rotation thereof is effected, it may be stated that the valve ports continue to move. stepby-step, each step registering to ports in a valve zone, withthe corresponding fixed ports 15,r and connecting thek tanks amongthemselves, and with the exhaust and inlet valves in timed relation, to -cause the-cycles of operation illustrated diagrammaticallyy .by Figures 1-1 to 26 and nextdescribed, with' reference to said figures. e i

Each ofsaid figures showsthe positions of theiweights 11 in the severaltanks, at the beginning of a cycle, the organization here shown including eight tanks, and requiring sixteen cycles to cause a complete up- Ward-and downward movement of each of the eight weights, and leave the Weights in the initial positions shown by Figure 11.

- rThe motor being started when the Weights are in said -i-nitial positions, the relations se:

forth by the following tables are established,

the change stated by each table being established simultaneously.

Table 1.

. Liquid contents of tank equalize in level,

vLiquid contents of tank equalize in level,

Liquid contents of tank equalize in level, and

Liquid contents of tank 8f equalize in level.

This cycle establishes the relation shown inv Figure 12.

8 and tank 8b 8h and tank-l 8c 8g and tank 8d and tank 8e Table 2.'

Liquid contents of tankSa and tank 8C equalize, y

Liquid contents of tank 8h and tank 8d equalize, and

Liquid contents of tank 8g and 8e equalize.

Tank 8f empties and an equal amount is supplied to tank 8b, establishing the relation as shown in Figure 13.

Table 3.

Liquid contents of tank 8a and tank 8d equalize, v Liquid contents of tank 8h and .tank 8e equalize, v

Liquid contents of tank Sg and 'tank 8f equalize, and l f Liquid contents of tank 8b and tank 8C equalize. By this operation the relation shown in Figure 1l is established. f

Table l. l

` i Liquid contents of tank 8a and tank 8e equalize, l

yLiquid contents of tank 8h and tank .8f equalize, and

Liquid contents of tank 8l and 8d equalize.A

Tank 8g empties and tank 8C has an equal volume of liquid supplied and the condition in Figure 15 is established.

Table 5.

` Liquid contents of tank 8a equalize,

Liquid contents of tank 8h equalize,

Liquid contents of tank 8b and tank 8f and tank 8g and tank 8e equalize, and

Liquid contents of tank 8c and tank 8d equalize.

Thus the relation shown in Figure 16 is established. f

equalize',`

` equalize. f

Table 6',

Liquid contentsjo' tank Strand tank 8g Liquid contents ot tank 8b and tank 8f equalize,

, Liquid contents of tank equalize.

Tank 8h is emptied and tank 8d has a corresponding volume replaced, yand the rela-` tionin Figure 17 is established.

Table 7.

Liquid contents of tank 8a equalize,

Liquid contents of tank 8b equalize,

' Liquid contents of tank 8C equalize, and Liquid` contents of tank 8 and tank 8 and tank 8f and tank 8e Thereby the relation shown in Figure 18 is established.

Table 8.

Liquid contents in tank 8b equalize, i

Liquid contents in tank- 8c equalize, and

Liquid contents in tank 8d and tank 8t equalize.

- Tank 8a empties and tank 8e has an equal volume replaced, andthe relation is as shown in Figure 19.

Table .9.

Liquid contents 'of tank 8f? vand tank 8h equalize,

`Liquideontents of tank 8e and tank 8g equalize, and

Liquid contents of tank 8c and tank 8l equalize.

lTank 8b empties, a like volume of liquid is displaced in tank 8f, andthe relation in and tank 8h and vtank 8g Figure 21 is established.A

Table 1].

vLiquid ycontents of tank 8e and tank'h equalize,

Liquid contents of tank 8c. and tank 8f,

equalize,

Liquid contents of tank 8@ and tank 8 equalize, .and

`a and tank s@ .and tank 8g l equalize.

lished.

Liquid contents of ktank 8t and tank 8g equalize.

The relation of Figure 22 is thus estab- Table 1a .amaze 13. LiquidV Contents of t`ank18g and tank 8h 8eA and tank 8a equalize,

Liquid contents equalize, y

of ankef` and "tank e vLiquid contents of tank 8e and tank 8 equalize, and

tablished.

equalize,

Liquid contents oftank 8d and tank 8c equalize. v

The relation shown in Figure 24 is thus es.

a Table 1i. *i 7 Liquid contents of tank 8S and tank 8a n equalize, Liquidcontents 'of tank '8f and tank 8b equalize, and

yLiquid contents of tank 8e and tank 8c equalize.

Tank 8dl empties, and a like volume of water is replaced in tank 8h, establishing the relation as shown in Figure 25.

n TabZe'L'. Liquid contents of tank 811 and tank 8 equalize,

Liquid contents of tank 8g and tank 8b Liquid contents ofitank 8f and-*tank 8c equalize, and Liquid contents of tank 8 and tank 8d The relation fshownin Figurey 2O is thus established. 1

Table 16.

Liquid contents of tank 8l1 and tank 8b equalize,

Liquid contents of tank 8g and tank 8c equalize, and

Liquid contentsof equalize. ,y y i Tank 8 empties, and fa vlike volume of water is .replaced in'tank 8, thereby establishing the"initial positionsk as shown in Figure 11, when the described sequence of operations is repeated.` f

Thetank conduits '13,. and the tank-connecting valves, `are kpreferably` formed to 55 permit ai rapid and nearly"instantaneous in utank V8f and tank 8f terchangenof liquid from tank to tank, the` out flow of liquid from any tank being suiiciently rapid` to leave the f accompanying weight entirely unsupported by liquid, so that it:v will fall freely, and the-rise of liquid in any tank being sufciently rapid tocause the displacement oi' the accompanying Vweight to exert greater force on the power sha-it 20, thanis exerted by the simultaneously falling weight. The simultaneously falling weights are at-'all times at diiferent elevations, and the simultaneously rising weights are likewise at all times at different elevations. The force' due toy displacement in each rising weight depends on the height h relationy to itheheight of the other weights. l a It will be'seenkthat when eight tanks are employed, the charge of liquid supplied tok va tank is'used eighttimes before it is `ex- In practice,

of the weight lwit hausted, and' runs to waste. about seven-eighths of'each charge isfused eight'times before the charge is run out or exhausted.

` `While one` weight drops from top to bottom oi a` tank, or rises from bottomto top, I have the use ofv the power of displacement of fo-ur'ri'sing weights,also the power of the gravity of four falling weights.- For example, if one tank of liquid holds two thousand pounds, and one fallin@- weight weighs two hundred. and

sixtyeiglit pounds, and the pressure of one rising weight gives'displacetors, each' motor being connected with every other motor of the battery, by the described system oifvvalves, l obtain the advantageof using the liquidover vand over, losing only one-'eighth of one charge every other cycle, or one-half of a charge in the complete drop of a weight, and another half in the complete rise of a weight. n

A balance wheel 100 is fixed to the power shaft 20, for the' purpose of keeping up a uniform torque while any tank is exhausting or filling from the supply tank.

- When the battery is started, all the buoyant weights are in the positions shownV in Figure 1l. and the eccentric 39 yand pawl 38 (Figure 2) are read to advance the tubular valves simultaneous y one step, (Figure 1). The partial filling and exhausting of the ltanks'now takes place. The time consumed the paxvl 3 8 (Figure 2,) again advanceslthe valves one step, causing the change in the positionsfoi' the Weights and liquid shown in Figure 13. As' shown by Figure 5, port 93 is as Wide` as; the total; of the seven small ports. 8b to and including the port 8h, in the upper portion of Figure 5. e y

t will be scent-hat the large port Se in Figure 5 is also as Wide as the total -Width of the seveny small ports on each side of it.l

This rule holds good throughout, `unless the large or exhausting port isf partially1 inone valve, and the rest in another valve (see Figure 8);. Port 3g is shown here only ythe width of the' oursmall-ports at its left. A

f part of port 8g is, shown inI Figure 6,`\vhere it sup-pliesports Stand 8b. ,In consequence of this; arrangement the. liquid, in` a full tank is distributed to each of the other seven tanks', each` receiving one-eighth. rlfhe remaining one-eighth ris allowed to run to Waste through port (Figure 9).

, The changing of the positions of the liquid and thev Weights that are inthe eight` motors. romthe positions shown by Figure 1l. to that shovvnv by Figure 12, takes place at the same time. The port-s in the valve casings` are of the same dimensions as the lling portsin the tubular valves. Ar valve casing port hasthc same area as a filling port, and

when port; 93 covers. the. valve casing port, it

can only supply the amount that can pass through it, which is the same as can pass through the small. valve filling port. For example, suppose thetubular valve is sixteen inchesl in circumference, and the port 93 (Figure 5) is, seven inches Wide. The seven otherfponts` that register with this port are each one inch Wide. These become active successively, and only one inch of port 93 is, active during each cycle` so that the portl 93 `is gir/'enf suflicient capacity to supply the other seven ports, one after another. It will; be seen that While each Weight il falls fromits highest to its lowest level, and rises from its lowest to its highest level, the power developed is due to the gravity of the Weights of one-half of the battery units, and the force of displacement ofthe Weights of the otherhalf.

twill also. befseen that ybyl employing a battery of units, each including a tank and a luiqyantr weight movable vertically therein,

'and connecting the tank of" each unit with tl'ieitanksof all ofi the other units, by a system of; conduits and valves as described. l obtain the advantage oix usingthe major portion of the; supplied liquidiover and over during'V eachcycle, only" a minor fraction runningl to Waste at each alternate Cycle,

this fraction being.v determined by the 4number oi units in the battery. In a battery of eight units l lose one-eighth of a ulltank at every second cycle. In a battery ofsiX- teen units, lose one-sixteenth of a full tank at every alternate cycle.

l. A motor comprising a series of tanks, liquid circulating means for supplying liquid thereto including conduits interconnecting said'tanks as described, androtary valve elements controlling the said conduits, buoyant weight non-synchronously movable in said tanks by liquid supplied to and successively exhausted from the tanks, and means for utilizing the, movements of said iveightsto rotate said valve elements stepby-step, and to transmit unidirectional continuous rotary motion from the motor, the liquid and the Weights being arranged at diilerent elevations, and the arrangement being such that some of the Weights are leit unsupported by liquid, and free to actr by gravity when the accompanying tanks are being exhausted, and the other Wei'g'rhtsy are caused to act by displacementwvhen the accompanying tanks are being refilled.

Q. A motor substantially as specified by claim l, said liquid-circulating means including exhaust and supply valves constituting members of said step-by-steprotated valve elements. l

31. A, motor comprising a.y series of tanks, means for supplying liquid thereto, av Series of independently movable buoyant Weights adapted to be supported by liquidin said tanks, means, including lelements actuated by the Weights for selectively transferring liquid from any tank ofl the series to any of the other tanks, and adapted to. cause nonsynchronous vertical reciprocatingy movements. ot the Weights, and means. for. utilizing the said reciprocating movements the liquid and the Weights being arranged at different elevations, and the arrangement being such` that some4 of the Weights yare left unsupported by liquid, and free to, act by gravityvvhen the accompanying tanks are exhausted, and the other Weights arevv caused to act by displacement when the accompanying tanks are being refilled.

4e. A motor substantially as specifiedby claim 3, said liquid-transferring means including conduits communicating With: the lower portions of the tanks, tubular valve casings, each communicating With all of said conduits through lined ports, and tubular'rotary valves in said casings, and connected for simultaneous rotation, each having a plurality of ports`,.tvvo ports'of each valve being arranged to register simultaneously with two ports in theaccompanying casing, means impell'ed by said buoyant weights being providedy forL rotating said valves step-,by-step.

said conduits through fixed ports, tubular valves movable in said casings, and coning casing, and connections between said nected for simultaneous rotation, each having a plurality of ports, two ports of each y valve being arranged to register simultaneously with -two ports 1n the accompanyvalves and said power-transmitting shaft, organized to impart a stepv-by-step rotation to the valves from the continuously rotating shaft.

6. A motor substantially as specified by claim 3, said liquid-transferring means including conduits communicating with the lower portions ofthe tanks, tubular valve casings, each communicating withall of said lconduits through fixedports, tubular valves movable in said casings, and connected for simultaneous rotation, each having'a plurality of ports,l two ports of each valve being 'arranged to register simultaneously with two ports in the accompanying casing, `a ratchet fixed to one of said valves, a pawl adapted to engage y said ratchet, and connections between said pawl and the power-transmitting shaft adapted to reciprocate the pawl and cause a step-by-step rotation of the valves.

7. A motor substantially as specified by claim 3, said liquid-transferring means includingv conduits communicating with the lower portions of the tanks, tubulary valve casings, each communicating with all otv said conduits, through fixed ports, and tubular valves movable in said casing, each having a plurality of ports, two ports of each valve being varranged to register simultaneously with two ports in the accompanying casing,

a train of gears fixed to and connecting said valves, yand connections between oneof the end gears of saidtrain and the power-transmitting Shaft, organized to rotate said gear,

and through it, the other gears of the train and the valves, step-by-step.

8. A motor substantially as specified by `claim 3, said liquid-transferring means having provisions actuated'by said buoyant weights for intermittently introducing liq-l uid into the upper portions of the tanks.

9. A lmotor substantially as specified by claim 8, said liquid-transferring means including conduits communicating vwithy the lower portions of the tanks, tubular tankconneoting valve casings, each communicating with all of said conduits through fixed ports, tubular tank-connecting valves movable in said casings, and connected for simultaneous rotation, each having a plurality of ports, two ports of each valve being arranged to register simultaneously with two ports in the accompanying casing, a tubular exhaust valve casing, a tubular exhaust valve in said casing, an elevated supply tank, a tubular inlet valve casing communicating with the supply tank, and a tubular inlet valve in said casing, said exhaust and inlet valves being rotated stepby-step.

l0. A motor comprisingV a series of tanks located at the same level, conduits communieating with the lower portions ofthe tanks, a plurality of tubular tank-connecting valve casings, each communicating withsaid conduits through fixed ports, tank-connecting tubular valves in said casings having ports arranged to cooperate as described, withv said fixed ports, means for supplying liquid tained at different levels by said liquid, andl mechanism for utilizing the. rise and vfall of the weights to impart step-by-step movements to the valves, said mechanism being f adapted also to transmit power from the motor. o

l1. A motor comprising a series of tanks located-at the same level, conduits communieating with the lower portions of the tanks, a plurality of tubular tank-connecting casings, each communicating with said conduits through fixed ports, tank-connecting tubular valves in said casings, having ports arranged to cooperate with said fixed ports, an

inlet casing communicating with the upper portions of the tanks through fixed ports, and containing a tubular ,inletvalve, having lports arranged to cooperate with the inlet casing ports, an exhaust casing communicating withi the lower portions of the tanks through fixed ports, and containing a tubular exhaust valve having ports arranged to cooperate with the exhaust casing ports, and means for simultaneously rotating said valves step by step, said means including buoyant weights maintained at different levels in the tanks, and mechanism for utilizing the rise and fall of the weights to impart step-by-step movements to the valves and to transmit power from the motor, the ports of said inlet and exhaust casings and valves being arranged to cause the weights to rise and fall non-synchronously, during a cycle of operation of the motor, to utilize the supplied liquid repeatedly in all of the tanks during each cycle, and to permit only a minor portion to run to waste.

In testimony whereof, I have aixed my signature. v

MORITZ THEODORE LINDENBERG. 

